Communications system and method of operation for electronic messaging using structured response objects and virtual mailboxes
US5930471A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L51/234
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communications system facilitates transactions between a sender and a plurality of recipients as part of an electronic messaging system. Messaging means enable a sender to form an electronic template containing a message in the form of a structured response object for a recipient as part of a transaction between a sender and a recipient(s). Controller means receive and store the message in a virtual mailbox assigned to the transaction for access by the sender and the recipient(s). The controller means generate and send to the recipients an indicator or pointer identifying the message at an address for the virtual mailbox. The recipient(s) use the pointer address to view the electronic message in the form of a structured object response at the virtual mailbox in the controller. The recipient may ignore or file the message or send a response to the virtual mailbox. The response or lack of response to the structured object response by the recipient (s) is tracked and recorded by the controller. The status of the transaction is updated as reflected by the structured object response(s) and summarized for display by the controller upon inquiry by the sender. A reminder of a response du…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.